Social Networks Can Help Universities Connect with Prospective Students

Universities can now provide social networks to create closer, more intimate relationships with prospective students via eXpressNet from TargetX, a Bristol, PA-based provider of higher education marketing tools and services.

Letting students communicate and share content with future classmates in a manner similar to sites such as MySpace or Facebook, students can interact in an online environment branded for the university.

Schools can invite prospects, as well as current students, faculty and other school associates to create profiles, blog and upload photos and videos.

The sites will reflect the school's colors and graphics, and schools can decide how the site should work, such as whether or not students can upload videos.

"Recruiting students today is all about making connections" said TargetX CEO Brian Wm. Niles in a prepared statement. "One of the best ways to do that is through social networking, but not huge public sites like YouTube or Facebook. The trend is smaller, more intimate sites where members share specific interests."

TargetX also will provide training and support for not just technology questions or issues, but also to help colleges and universities better communicate with new students and recruits.